Spying on celebrity bookshelves
Bill B. of Des Plaines wrote recently to share one of his pandemic-related obsessions: trying to decipher what’s on the bookshelves of people being interviewed on television.
He asked if I share this obsession.
Let me just say that while I am a generally frugal person and do not replace things until they wear out, I am considering getting an ultra-high-definition 4K TV so that when Tom Hanks is interviewed on the Today Show, I can see every last book on his shelves.
Unfortunately, due to the spotty nature of even celebrity webcams, the picture may still lack sufficient clarity to satisfy my curiosity.
As is, while it’s clear that Hanks owns a lot of books — makes sense for an author and typewriter aficionado — I couldn’t make out any specific title with any real clarity.
As to why I’m curious, that’s easy: Someday I’m hoping to see a copy of one of my books on some celebrity’s shelf.
Not really.
Except, yes … really.
No, it’s just that I’m nosy. I’m the same way when I’m inside someone else’s home.
I have the possibly irrational and yet totally justified belief that whatever books a person chooses to display is revealing of his or her character. Years ago, when Mrs. Biblioracle and I were shopping for a house, I recall rejecting one possibility based entirely on what looked to be an owner who exclusively read Bill O’Reilly’s bogus histories. “This house cannot be for us,” I said.
There is an art to the properly arranged bookshelf background that I have come to appreciate. Last month, when former President Barack Obama spoke publicly about the protests following the killing of George Floyd, I didn’t care for how sparse his shelves were for someone who is clearly a voracious reader.
Give me something to work from, Mr. President.
On the other hand, anti-tax activist Grover Norquist lets his book freak flag fly a little too much. His shelves are cluttered, with books stacked vertically and horizontally, with multiple rows per shelf.
Don’t get me wrong, I identify with the problem, but you’re on TV, man! How can you argue for fiscal restraint when it looks like you’re about to be buried under an avalanche of hardcovers?
If you’re as obsessed as I am about this stuff, I recommend you follow Room Rater on Twitter. Room Rater is not exclusively focused on people’s bookshelves, but given that bookshelves are such a common backdrop, you can get your curiosity fix.
We know that publishers have been designing covers that work well on social media platforms like Instagram, but I wonder if any are starting to focus in on the bookshelf background effect? Will we get larger tomes, so they literally dominate the space and have room for a larger, more visible font?
Or are we maybe looking at a new route for product placement? What would it cost to get a little real estate behind the heads of Gloria Borger or Maggie Haberman when they do their CNN segments from home?
I am not important enough to rate time on television, but I nonetheless have put a lot of thought into my own bookshelf tableau. It would display that I am a reader of great discernment. It would be artfully arranged without looking too careful. It would have a tasteful, but prominent spot for my own books.
And it would have Philip Roth’s old clock radio, which I own, something I will never tire of mentioning every chance I get.
Lori looks like a reader who wants to be able to hold the characters close. Dipping back a bit in time, I’m pulling out Gail Godwin’s
Jonathan Kellerman by Jon Krakauer
I’m hoping that Craig isn’t yet involved with the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French, because if not, once he has read he has five more to go. That’s a lot of bang for a recommendation buck.
Get a reading from the Biblioracle
Send a list of the last five books you’ve read to books@chicagotribune.com.